Alabama, Auburn could be in the mix for Penn State transfers

Baltimore offensive lineman Brian Gaia signed with Penn State in February but is now free to transfer to another school without sacrificing eligibility. (Photo courtesy of 247Sports)

After the announcement by the NCAA that current Penn State players and signees will be free to transfer elsewhere without losing a year of eligibility, speculation began among fans and the media about which PSU players might look to transfer and where they might end up.

Alabama head coach Nick Saban has already expressed interest in possible Penn State transfers, telling ESPN on Tuesday "if somebody was interested in coming to the University of Alabama, we would certainly entertain it." According to a report by USA Today, Saban reached out to one Penn State player as early as Monday afternoon, contacting the high school coach of recent PSU signee Brian Gaia, a Baltimore offensive lineman who enrolled at Penn State last month. Gaia was rated a three-star prospect by 247Sports and Rivals.com and was rated among the top 25 guard prospects in the nation last year.

"We've had a lot of calls from other programs about him and we're just going to take it slow and make an appropriate decision," said Gaia's coach Bill Poggi in an interview with the Baltimore Sun. Poggi acknowledged that Gaia has been in contact with Alabama this week.

"I think Saban and staff would be interested if its the right player for the right position," said BamaOnline recruiting analyst Tim Watts. "I don't see them taking a guy just to take him but if Saban feels like the transfer could help them, it's a possibility. It would also probably be more likely if it was a long term answer than just for a year or two."

Auburn's Gene Chizik has yet to publicly comment on the possibility of accepting transfers from Penn State players but while the Tigers may not be looking at any current Nittany Lions, one current Penn State commit could take another look at the Tigers now that Penn State faces serious sanctions for the next four years.

Rivals.com recruiting analyst Mike Farrell told USA Today that four-star quarterback Christian Hackenberg plans to contact Auburn and South Carolina if he decides to decommit from the Nittany Lions. Auburn heavily recruited the Fork Union, Virginia star before he committed to Penn State back in February. Despite Hackenberg's reported interest in the Tigers, analysts believe Auburn may not return that interest now that the Tigers have two quarterbacks already committed for the Class of 2013.

"Auburn coaches spent part of the day Monday looking at film of current Penn State players and commitments and will probably continue that Tuesday," said Auburn Undercover recruiting analyst Bryan Matthews. "While no final decisions have been reached, I'm not expecting Auburn to actively pursue any current Penn State players or commits at the moment. They may continue to evaluate this fall and look at any potential January transfers."

Even if Auburn and Alabama don't accept any transfers from Penn State this fall, the story may not be over. All current Penn State players are free to transfer at any time during the next four years without sacrificing eligibility, meaning that the Tide and Tigers will be free to continuing wooing Nittany Lions in the offseason for several years to come.